The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17
A HERO IN PEACE AND IN WAR.

HERO IN PEACE AND IN WAR.
Under the broad shadow of the linden
trees, which stood near the Inman estate,
Cambridge, some boys were playing Put
nam taking possession of that fine man.
sion. This was just before the Inman
House was torn down and the extensive
grounds surrounding it divided into
building lots.
These Yankee boys were well informed
as to the histories connected with the
place, and knew that this was Gen. Pat
MANS head quarters at the beginning of
the revolutionary war. So they person
ated Peter Inman, the wealthy tory who
once owned the estate, dressed in his
ruff I'd shirt and in small clothes with
broad silver knee buckles. complaining
that gentleman of fortune and of fig
ure should be driven out of his own
house by rebels!'
And who is he that dares thus take
possession, driving out. this loyal subject
of "good king George?"
A farmer in his working clothesl What
contrast to the elegant gentleman above
named! A round faced, good humored
looking lad, much resembling the steel
engravings which we see of general Is
rael Putnam, takes his part.
And then they change their play going
back again in the order of history, to the
times of the Stamp Act excitement Pot
nam was chosen by the people to wait
on the governor of the colony. This per.
sonage is represented by the little lad
with the long wrist ruffies, while the one
in farmers clothes personated Putnam.
And thus they talk:
"What shall l do" says the governor,
''if the stamped paper be sent to me by
the kings anthority?"
"Lock it up until we visit you again."
replies Putnam.
"And what will you do them"
"We shall expect you to give us the
key of the room in which it is deposited,
and it you think fit. in order to screen
yourself from blame, you may forewarn
us upon our peril not to enter the room"
"And what will you do afterward?"
asks the colonial chief magistrate.
"Send the key safely back again." says
the sturdy Yankee representative.
"But if should refuse admission"
I'm such case your house will be lev
eled with the dust in five minutes" re-
piled the intrepid farmer-soldier.
No stamped paper aoas erer sent to
Connecticut State.
After this they talked informally.
"Putnam was q splendid fellow" said
Wrist. ruff IS; always generous and bravs
even when boy, and standing up alwaye
for the right"
eyes," replied Round face, he wasn't
afraid to face down the rich mans son
who told such lie."
"Tell us about it, Chubby"
"Why. you see he heard this mean fell
low tell something that wasn't true about
poor girl, and he boldly said to him,
Prove that It's none of your business
said the other fellow It's anybodys
business to defend a good girl. 1 know
you have slandered Nelly. You think
you may say what you please because
she is poor girl and has no father. You
have done SO twice. And now own up
that you have lied about Nelly or I'll
thrash YOU said Israel, and he walked
close up to the fellow who was a coward
and glad to escape by owning up
Then followed the story of the bride
offered him by the British general, very
large sum of money, with lieutenant
generals commission, it he ould only
defend the kings cause against the New
England revolutionists.
"But he was too noble to be bought"
said R 'und-tace; yet just the minute he
saw the horseman, who had galloped all
re way from Lexington, to find him in
'nne,ticut, he went right off to light
his country, never thinking OF pay or
being made acknowledgement. He
ploughmg, and left his team with
'e boy. He did not go to the house or
iop to change his clothes, but ran to the
arm, harnessed a swift horse and was off
Cambridge"
And how he did fight on Bunker Hill
bier thinks that if his men had not
m afraid, but had turned from their
eat when he tried to rally them, they
I'D have whipped the British and the
'ory had been ours" said Wrist
Has
And 1t was theu," replied Round-face,
ie s~ore and cursed, for he said it was
most enough to make an angel swear